Evolution is a fabulous place to shop for unusual gifts. Everyone has friends and relatives that…read moreare hard to shop for and this is the perfect place to get gifts for them. The atmosphere is really relaxed and peaceful. It is full of Buddhas and Incense sticks and scented candles and novelty candles. They have little sets of candles that spell out I LOVE YOU and HAPPY BIRTHDAY as well as for the festive season candles that spelt out HAPPY NEW YEAR and MERRY CHRISTMAS. They also have a large selection of hand made jewellery as well as ethical begs and accessories. I bought Christmas presents for my best friend there - A glas wall plaque saying PEACE and a gorgeous incense stick holder in the shape of the Buddha. Another great accolade to this store is the friendliness of the staff. They are helpful but not intrusive. They say Hi to you as you enter but in a pleasant polite and friendly way as opposed to being in your face. As the asistant carefully wraped my gifts, we chatted about the holidays and the weather and as I left she wished me farewell and welcomed me back again. I can't wait to visit again - even if it is just to browse.

This is the shop that you go in when you havent got a clue what to buy someone as they have some…read moregreat gifts. They have loads of cards too some handmade. Buy your wrapping paper here aswell and youve done it all in one shop. I could spend hours in here and the shop staff are lovely.

What a beautiful little shop, down a cobbled street in the lovely town of Leek. This place is the…read moreperfect venue to buy cute gifts and knick knacks for anybody from 1 to 101. I have to mention the owner in this review, she is super duper sweet, and on my few visits, she is very helpful and smiley. This place not only is a lovely shop, but it also holds regular crafty workshops, from crotchet and knitting to dressmaking. These are all reasonably priced and range from beginners level to expertise. They encourage the ladies (and gents) to drink tea, eat cakes and have a natter whilst doing so. I also believe that Bibelots also has something called crafty matters, which are opportunities for people to meet up and socialise whilst making and creating in the beautiful Bibelots environment. This little shop supports the community and does it in style. I really loved the totally locally feel, and I'll be back as soon as I can.

From the owner: Bibelot is the areas only authorised Cath Kidston stockist - we carry a large range including bags…read moreand accessories, homeware, toiletries, bedding, books, stationery and umbrellas. Alongside Cath Kidston we also stock bags & accessories from Disaster Designs, toys from Maileg and much more! Bibelot are proud to support British designers and manufacturers, we stock a selection of homeware, jewellery and cards including Poppy Treffry, Tatty Devine, Love Boutique and Laura Sherratt Designs to name a few. We also stock a variety of gorgeous locally handmade items. We also have a fantastic haberdashey and craft room upstairs - we stock a large range including yarn, fabric & fat quarters, ribbon, buttons, jewellery findings, books and craft kits from names such as Rico, Rowan, Stylecraft, Tilda etc. We run a range of craft workshops including sewing and crochet, full details can be found on our website.

Stumbled across this little hidden gem whilst out with my local walking group.. We just managed to…read moreget our group of 16 in the conservatory where they serve delicious cakes and tea/coffee etc. (The fresh cream Victoria sandwich was to die for).This is a newish business still developing (Nov '15) but they have some lovely craft items for sale as well as refreshments. Highly recommend.

This is a really good store for unique gifts, the items they have for sale are really different…read more Nice little trinkets with themes from all over the world. From african elephants to parisian train station clocks (you kind of have to see it lol) the prices are pretty resonable, the store is a fair size easy to move around staff are helpful and friendly and its really easily located in the broadmarsh centre so its good to have a look when your shopping in the centre.

This shop offers goods of ghe highest quality. A little on the expensive side but you only get what…read moreyou pay for. Definitely no tat here. Extremely helpful staff who go the extra mile to assist in their customers requests

Magma Magma books is possibly one of the coolest shops I…read morehave been into in a long time! Why you may ask? Because it sells MOOMINS merchandise and books!! They sell all sorts of cool things here like books, magazines, swirly notebooks, cuddly toys (moomin ones!), eco friendly stuff which comes in the shape of recycled objects made into something else uselful, the mother board coasters are pretty snazzy! Like the other shops on Oldham street, its only small but the layout is perfectly set out to seem like there is so much space! I love it!

Situated on Oldham Street, but a hop and skip from the Night and Day Café lies this fantastic…read morebookshop. I've been visiting this place for ages, even if it's just to browse through the store and short list future gifts. I've recently acquired some American Film Making/Studies from there (the Steven D. Katz shot by shot/cinematic motion - books that are usually pretty hard to get hold of unless you're on the net. This is one of those places where the staff know what they're talking about and can help either find what you're looking for or influence you enough to take a punt on their own expertly led recommendations in the vast array of different books and magazines in this store (increasingly rare in the accountant led 'United Chaindom'). It's a shame many more shops were as enthusiastic and passionate as the folks behind magma...I know they can't all be this way but it's currently unfairly balanced. One large chain book store dominates now (and with unfortunately less choice, more celebrity led airport reading fodder) and with supermarkets getting in the act of the book market (albeit with a truly disturbing 'array' of 'books') we should be thankful that places like this are still open in our cities. A large section of this shop sells magazines which are more like the aforementioned coffee table books the higher echelon of mags if you will. Film, Architecture, Typography, Illustration, Photography, Graphics, Fashion, Art, Design, Cities all these creative acts and scenarios collude together in the books and magazine range. They sell a top mag called 'Specialten' which is a 'bi-monthly collection of short films, music videos and exclusive interviews' which comes with a DVD for the media. Just reminded myself to pick up the next edition as I type this... This shop (alongside one or two in London village possibly the other two Magma's as it happens) was the only such store to stock Daniel Johnstone's graphics/drawings books (and as such is referred to in the fantastic Daniel Johnstone documentary). Reanimate your creative synapses and spare at least half an hour to imbibe the glorious fractions of the arts world we don't see as much as we should. It's always a pleasure to walk into a store like this, find what you're looking for (or see something jump out at you which grabs your interest by the book ends) and after downpiping your debit/credit details into the 21st Century piggy bank walk from the shop, freshly acquired book in hand. Rifling through the pages of a new 'Ilva Table book' in a nearby boozer/café is one of life's great, small pleasures.

Lovely little independent shop selling greetings cards, stationary, gift wrap, gifts etc…read more Staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. The Token House is brilliant for finding pretty presents and unique cards - I absolutely love it!

Yet another super cute gift shop! Initially I stopped in because there were some cute things for…read morechildren in the window... and again the Auntie instincts kicked in. At the front of the store is stationary and cards, a little further back are toys, even further back is jewelry and wedding sorts of gifts, and then to the left of the jewelry are random gifts, many with a British theme. Coffee mugs and tea towels for the Diamond Jubilee, bunting with the British Flag, just lots of very cute items for others or even just for yourself. Stop in, you won't be disappointed.

Smithsonia is an exceptional jewellers and gift shop based in Birmingham's Piccadilly Arcade. They…read moresell many things from gorgeous silver jewellery to Japanese Kokeshi Dolls and amazing sculpted pieces in ceramics and glass. There is something for most budgets in this shop and it's a great place to browse. I bought some cute button earrings for just £10 but there are plenty more extravagant gifts, believe me! You could spend forever just gazing in their windows as you walk past; there is so much to see - it must take them forever to clean! They do beautiful and unique silver rings by up and coming jewellery designers as well as pieces by established brands such as Pilgrim. Every time I walk by I can find at least 15 or so items in their window that I want to buy; I'm sure everyone else can too which is why they are so successful. Smithsonia are the longest running business in Piccadilly Arcade, they've been there for around 30 years. If you are looking for a gift then definitely check them out first and impress your loved one with something a little different.

A wonderful independent gift, card and jewellery shop. If you are looking for a birthday or…read moregreeting card that is a little different to what you might find in one of the chains this is a good place to start. Their collection is not huge but you will definitely find something a little different. They also stock fabulous gift wraps and papers. To entice you into the shop the window displays are made up of some beautiful and unique silver jewellery. Again, here you will find pieces you can't find anywhere else. If you are looking for special pieces of silver jewellery at fairly reasonable prices start with this shop. Inside the staff are welcoming and very helpful.

A traditional cafe with a friendly welcome and piping hot food, great stuff!read more